Study: Obesity Weighs in at 21 Percent of Medical Care Costs

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A new study from Cornell University indicates that an obese individual not only racks up higher medical costs per capita, but the costs associated with obesity make up 21 percent of all medical care costs.

According to research led by John Cawley, lead author of the study and professor of policy analysis and management and economics, the costs attached to obesity touch just about every aspect of the medical care field. Cawley, with Chad Meyerhoefer of Lehigh University, conducted the government study using 2000-2005 data from 24,000 non-elderly adults, doctors, and medical care providers.

"Historically we've been underestimating the benefit of preventing and reducing obesity," he told Medical Xpress. "Obesity raises the risk of cancer, stroke, heart attack and diabetes. For any type of surgery, there are complications with anesthesia, with healing

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